Oregon_Republican_Reporter-5-21-2021

VOLUME 171 NO. 12 • SERVING OGLE COUNTY SINCE 1851

Friday, May 21, 2021 • $1.00

OHS GRADS

LOCAL NEWS

Against proposal

Mt. Morris officials speak out about a plan to close DLR junior high / 3

LOCAL NEWS

Tentative reopening

The White Pines Lodge could open on Monday, June 14 / 3

Alumni Award Polo’s Betty

Obendorf receives an award from Sauk Valley College / 5

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

Brody Massolle gets a high five from an audience member as he shows his diploma case to the crowd as he and his classmates exit the Blackhawk Center during Oregon High School’s Commencement on May 15. Story on page 9.

One section • 20 pages

INDEX Business News......... 3 Classifieds ........ 19-20 Library News ...........15

Oregon Police..........18 Otto’s Column .......... 6 Property Transfers..17

DEATHS Published every Friday by Ogle County Newspapers, a division of Shaw Media

Leonard E. Jones, Page 16

Public Voice.............14 Sports..................12-13 Sheriff Activity........18

LOCAL NEWS

Oregon Republican Reporter / oglecountynews.com • Friday, May 21, 2021

OREGON BEAT

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OHS junior crafts virtual reality experience to show racial inequality

For her social entrepreneurship class at Oregon High School, junior Riley Crichton took the tall task of making a business out of racial inequality. The class stipulates that students make a business that benefits the community. She didn’t want to just sell t-shirts or bracelets for the cause. She wanted to engage people. The thought of virtual reality entered her head. Enter Be The Bridge. Crichton’s business that plans to immerse people in what it’s like to be African-American on a daily basis. “I plan on a first-person experience and microaggressions,” Crichton said. “You walk into an elevator and someone clutches their purse tighter or gives you a dirty look. People making you uncomfortable. Racial microaggressions.” Crichton plans to shoot video with a 360-degree camera and put people in her shoes. Her mother is African-American and moved from Chicago to Pearl City when she was 12 and was part of the only Black family in the area. “There was name calling and missed job opportunities,” Crichton said. “People say

Photo provided

Oregon High School junior Riley Crichton worked to create Be The Bridge, an immersive virtual reality experience highlighting racial inequality. things to make me uncomfortable. The past year has made me want to do something.” Crichton will be working with an NIU film student on the project. She’s currently learning how to produce video. After customers experience the VR video, Crichton plans to have a group discussion and

debriefing where they can talk about what they’ve learned. She hopes to have the program ready by the end of the school year and run it over the summer. Crichton’s teacher, Aaron Sitze said he hasn’t seen anything like her idea, in his class or on the market. “Nowhere do you get a chance to experience that,” Sitze said. “It tells me that when we allow kids the creative freedom to test limits, they will continue to surprise and impress us and do great things.” Crichton called working on the idea “nerve racking.” There are no guidelines on how to do it. She came up with the name after seeing books on racism that were along the lines of Be The Bridge. “By doing this, that’s what you’re doing, being the bridge,” Crichton said. “I’m marketing it towards people who haven’t experienced it. Open your eyes and have empathy. I’m not trying to sway anyone. Make the community safer and more welcoming. Understand what it’s like and experience new things.” Learn more about Be The Bridge at bethebridge2021.wixsite.com/website.

SPECIAL EVENT

Forreston FFA Alumni tractor pull June 5 The Forreston FFA Alumni will be hosting the 10th Annual Truck and Tractor Pull at Leaf River Daze on Saturday, June 5. Following a tractor parade, the pull will feature classes for antique tractors at noon, farm tractors at 2 p.m., trucks at 4 p.m., and Badger State Pullers at 7 p.m. The entry fee for pullers is $25 per hook. In order to provide an event that brings the community together, there will be no admission fee this year, but donations will be accepted at the gate. Funds raised will go toward supporting Forreston High School Ag Education and FFA Chapter. The pull will be held on the track behind the old Leaf River Grade School. This event would not be possible without our sponsors “Thank you to our Platinum Sponsor: BVS Diesel; Gold Sponsors: Peabudy’s North, Helm Truck and Equipment, MAD Acres; Silver Sponsors: Buckshot Ridge Farms and Excavating, Bocker Ruff, Seward Ag Supply, Dambman Service, Inc., Burris Seed-Bryce Sandahl, German American State Bank, US Auctioneers, Inc., Pearl City Elevator, Inc., Compeer Financial, Solutions Bank, Martin & Company Excavating, Heels and Hardhats Contracting, and Leaf River Land and Cattle,” said Josh Bolen, Forreston FFA Alumni Vice President. For more information, like the Forreston FFA Alumni on Facebook.

Photo provided

The Forreston FFA Alumni will hosi its Tractor and Truck Pull on June 5 at Leaf River Daze.

BUSINESS NEWS

By EARLEEN HINTON

ehinton@shawmedia.com If you’ve been hankering for a meal at the White Pines Lodge do not despair—the historic restaurant has a tentative opening date of June 14. Under new management by Ortega National Parks, the Lodge will reopen this year after its former concessionaire filed for bankruptcy and closed the doors last year due to the COVID19 pandemic. “We have a tentative opening date of June 14,” said Troy Derrer, general manager, on Tuesday as he worked to get the gift shop in order. “We will not be taking reservations until June 1.” Derrer said the dinner theatre resumes in July. A 2021 schedule can be found at the Lodge’s website, www. whitepinesinn.com.

And the 90-year-old Lodge has a new phone number: 815-655-2400. Former White Pines Concessionaire Beth George ran the lodge, cabins, and dinner theatre for the last 31 years. Before that, other concessionaires ran the Lodge and cabins that were constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources owns the facilities which are located inside White Pines State Park, on Pines Road between Oregon and Polo. Ortega National Parks is a family-run company with seven generations of hospitality and customer service experience and nearly 25 years of operating experience as a local and national park concessionaire, its website says.

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

The White Pines Lodge, located inside White Pines State Park, is slated to tentatively open on June 14 after being closed in 2020. It is opening under new management.

SCHOOL NEWS

Mt. Morris officials speak against junior high closure By EARLEEN HINTON

ehinton@shawmedia.com Closing the David L. Rahn Junior High School in Mt. Morris would have a “long term impact” and create “generational repercussions” and take the “heart” from the village, two residents told the Oregon School Board Monday night. “A school is the heartbeat of a town,” said Josh Ehrler, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church. “It (DLR) is the last school to survive the consolidation. It is the school in Mt. Morris.” Ehrler was one four Mt. Morris residents who spoke against closing the school after Oregon Superintendent Tom Mahoney shared the reasons behind his recommendation to close the school. Aided by graphs projected on a screen in the OHS gym, Mahoney reiterated why he was recommending closing the 66-year-old school which houses 7th and 8th grade students. Last week he posted his reasons for the recommendation on social media and the district’s website in addition to meeting with Village President Phil Labash. Mahoney said the school needs $6 million in repairs and is costing the district’s budget about $400,000 a year. He is proposing closing the school at the end of the 2021-22 school year and moving students to Oregon High School. He told 30 attendees Monday that he

did not arrive at the recommendation lightly and that the recommendation was based on the district’s finances which have been operating at a deficit of $400,000 for 5 years, each year, due in part to maintenance costs for the junior high. “Over the last 5 years we have averaged a negative $400,000 in the operating budget. It means we spent $400,000 more than we took in,” Mahoney said. He said other measures to cut spending over the last 5 years have already been undertaken, including cutting the teaching staff 14% and the administrative staff 28%. The most recent setback for the district was the results of the state-required 10-year Health, Life, Safety survey of the district buildings. Done last fall, the fall that shows that nearly $6 million in state-mandated improvements are needed, including asbestos removal, at DLR. He said the building’s wastewater pipes also need to be replaced. “It got so bad this year that it smelled like someone was urinating on the floor,” he said. The school district could issue bonds to pay for the work, which would then be passed on to taxpayers as debt-service, Mahoney said. “Let me be clear about this. We don’t have to do all of this. We can kick the can down the road and not do any of this. We can try to keep delaying, but at some point we have to address these issues,” he said.

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

Josh Ehrler, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Mt. Morris, speaks against closing the David L. Rahn Junior High School in Mt. Morris. Electri cal, roof, and secu rity upgrades have been made at DLR since the districts consolidated in 1994. Mahoney said he commissioned a study from the University of Illinois at Springfield in 2020 to determine the best solution. Closing DLR will save the district more than $200,000 a year in operational costs, the study concluded. “Those savings, along with COVID federal funding and rising tax revenues (based on increased property values, not increased tax rates) should ensure the district is on sound financial footing moving forward,”

Mahoney said in a letter to parents. According to Mahoney’s presentation some of the pros of closing David L. Rahn Junior High School include: allowing junior high students to have access to additional elective courses at the high school; aligning the curriculum more closely and providing more frequent opportunities for staff to collaborate; bringing more coaches/ sponsors to a building where some sports/activities have no coaches in the building; and allowing for more staff collaboration while also giving

See DLR, page 4

OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, May 21, 2021

Tentative June 14 opening date for White Pines Lodge

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Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, May 21, 2021

OGLE COUNTY NEWS

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• DLR

Continued from Page 3 younger athletes more immediate exposure to older athletes. Village President Phil Labash was one of four Mt. Morris residents who commented on Mahoney’s presentation. “The closure of DLR will result in a magnified burden for Mt. Morris students and families,” Labash said. “Poorer families within Mt. Morris already struggle to attend school events and sports, based on cost and difficulties with transportation.” High school and elementary school activities are held in Oregon where those two schools are located. Athletic events, with the exception of junior high volleyball and basketball, are also held in Oregon. “While this burden may seem insignificant to those more fortunate, it is real,” Labash said. “One unintended consequence of the decision ti not rebuild Rahn Elementary in Mt. Morris was the eventual loss of Mt. Morris’ Youth Sports League, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Brownies, and Girl Scouts.” Labash said the plan to close the school does not allow for “future growth”. “Current enrollment will not stay static,” he said. “There is a generational shift that is starting to happen as millennials marry and have children. We are starting to see a turnover in housing in Mt. Morris as younger families moving into town.” In his presentation, Mahoney said that enrollment is not expected to increase for the school district. Labash said closing the junior high will “further polarize Mt. Morris residents”. “Over the past 28 years, the Oregon School District has continued to ‘take’ from the Mt. Morris community,” Labash said. John Finfrock, Vice President of the Mt. Morris Economic Development Corporation and Ogle County Board Chairman, spoke against closing the school. “During the years since Mt. Morris lost its three major businesses and over 2,000 jobs, our Economic Development Corporation has worked with several state agencies to attract businesses to our community,” he said calling Illinois ‘not a particularly business-friendly state’. “Although we are

Mt. Morris Village President Phil Labash offered this written statement on Tuesday, following the meeting.

“Our community has been hit hard by OCUSD actions in the past and it is unfortunate that we are experiencing this again. The decision to not rebuild Rahn Elementary in 2004 and the lack of proactive maintenance

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

Oregon Superintendent Tom Mahoney speaks at the school board meeting on Monday regarding the proposal to close the David L. Rahn Junior High in Mt. Morris and move 7th and 8th grade students to Oregon High School. optimistic and will continue to work diligently to attract businesses, the business unfriendly environment, let alone a community with no school, will make the challenge of attracting businesses incredibly difficult…which in the long run, as you can imagine, will hamper the growth of enrollment of our schools.” Jeff Bold, a community volunteer, said it would be “radical” to close the last school in the community. “It would be devastating to the community,” Bold said. “The decision not to rebuild Rahn Elementary in Mt. Morris was devastating.” School board officials opted to move grade school students to the Oregon campus and not rebuild Rahn Elementary in Mt. Morris when the school burned in February 2004. Ehrler asked school board members to consider all factors before making a decision. “Your vote will be on whether or not Mt. Morris is worth having an identity. This will create generational repercussions and we risk losing its heartbeat,” Ehrler said.

Mahoney said he will share information and answer questions again at the Mt. Morris Village Board meeting

on May 25. He also said a town hall meeting on is May 27 at 6 p.m. at DLR.

at DLR which has resulted in this recommendation, are clear signs that the OCUSD has little regard for the MM community. “Based on Dr. Mahoney’s letter and my conversations with him, the school district is looking at a $410K average yearly deficit. He estimates that the closure of the Jr. High will save $200K in operating expense – leaving

the school district with a continued deficit of $210K. “This closure may bring temporary relief, but COVID funds will eventually evaporate and “rising” property tax revenue will not happen, long term, based on the impact that this decision will have on half of OCUSD’s taxing district. There is an incredibly slim

chance that any future referendum will pass based on this move. “The school district is painting itself into a corner that will cost them in the years to come, while further hindering Mt. Morris’ ability to grow and prosper. The continued disregard for Mt. Morris students, families and taxpayers is evident.”

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

Mt. Morris Village President Phil Labash (top left) spoke against the proposal to close David L. Rahn Junior High. John Finfrock (top right) also spoke at Monday’s meeting.

SPECIAL HONOR

A lifelong educator from Polo was one of three people honored during Sauk Valley Community College’s 55th annual commencement on May 14. The alumni association nomination committee selected recipients based on peer recommendations and notable accomplishments. Polo’s Betty Obendorf, a 1972 graduate described as a lifelong educator with indisputable leadership skills, was chosen as the Distinguished Alumni recipient. The award honors a particular achievement of noteworthy value, a series of such achievements or a career of noteworthy accomplishments that bring honor to the college. Obendorf graduated from Sauk with an associate of arts degree. She completed her undergraduate studies in science-education at Northern Illinois University, graduating magna cum laude where she also earned her master’s. Obendorf taught in the Polo Unit School District for more than 20 years. After her retirement, she became the volunteer curator at the Polo Historical Society where she educates visitors and continues to teach and assist students with research. She’s written a weekly history column for the TriCounty Press since 1997. She also authored two historical books, The Gallant 15th of ILLINOIS History of a Civil War Volunteer Infantry Regiment and Abolitionist Railroad in Buffalo Grove. “Obendorf demonstrates an ongoing commitment to community service through her involvement in organizations like the Polo Economic Development Group—the new Polo Fresh Food Market is one example of the group’s success,” according to a news release. She is a member of Chapter DW PEO Sisterhood and was bestowed the Buffalo Grange Community Citizen

Alex T. Paschal/Shaw Media

Distinguished Alumni award recipient Betty Obendorf was honored May 14 at Sauk Valley Community College’s graduation. Award in 1999 and Polo’s Citizen of the Year in 2001. “She is often described as a wealth of information and has the wisdom to share her knowledge with all she meets,” according to her nomination. The Alumni Achievement Award went to Britni Dvorak, a 2012 graduate and owner of Pam’s Hallmark in Dixon. The award recognizes alumni 35 or younger whose achievements, public service and/or volunteer activities

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bring honor to the college. Dvorak attended SVCC through a scholarship after graduating from Amboy High School and earned her associate of science degree before transferring to NIU where she received her undergraduate degree in textiles, apparel and merchandising with a minor in business marketing. She was the youngest owner in the Hallmark franchise and also owns Fresh Finds Hallmark in Princeton. She has been involved with the United

Way of Lee County and received the 2020 Small Business of the Year award. The Future Alumni Award recipient was Anah Chamberlain. Anah is the 2020-2021 Student Government President. During 2019-2020, she was the Vice-President of Service for Phi Theta Kappa; was an active member of the Science Club, Rotaract Club, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, Informed Student Voter Coalition Club; and served as a student ambassador.

OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, May 21, 2021

SVCC honors Obendorf as Distinguished Alumni

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Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, May 21, 2021

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COUNTY NEWS

COVID-19 conditions improving in Ogle County Health administrator updates county board By RACHEL RODGERS

rrodgers@shawmedia.com Ogle County no longer carries the highest COVID-19 positivity rate in the region, and cases are continuing to decline as the health department focuses on vaccinating community members. Health department Administrator Kyle Auman said the county’s positiv-

ity rate has dropped to 4.3%, and cases are falling in both the county and the region. Region 1 has a positivity rate of 3.7%. “We’re happy with these numbers starting to improve,” he told the Ogle County Board Tuesday. They’re working with the state to get more doses of the Pfizer vaccine, which was recently approved for children 12 and older, as their supply has been limited. Hopefully the department will receive more doses next week to help vaccinate the younger population, he said. Auman said they are also working

with all the school districts to promote rapid antigen testing as well as Shield saliva testing. “They are great tools to keep incidents and outbreaks out of our schools,” he said. Rapid antigen testing will begin soon for county Kyle Auman employees as well. As of Tuesday, Ogle County has administered 35,862 vaccine doses, with 17,102 people (33.58%) fully vaccinated. “We’re going to continue to monitor

the situation, and we’re seeing some positive results in a lot due to vaccinations,” he said. The County Board also accepted the resignation of board member Marty Typer and will be accepting applications and conducting interviews to fill his District 5 seat. In other business, the board plans to sell property at Sixth and Jefferson streets, which was originally going to be used for additional parking.

LOCAL HISTORY

For Jeremiah Davis, it was ‘California or Bust’ Editor’s note: Otto Dick, Oregon has researched the people, places and events important in the Oregon area’s history for the Ogle County Historical Society. The following is one of a series of the articles he has written.

By OTTO DICK

T

he following is an interview by a Rockford newspaper reporter about Jeremiah Davis’ experiences from Wisconsin across the plains in the summer of 1850 to California or Bust Gold Country. “I was living in Wisconsin and started with four horses, a covered wagon and a pony. It took five months to accomplish the journey and I never found travel so tedious in my life. There were several men in the group. Between Omaha and Salt Lake, there was not a single settlement. When I got to the plains, I was obliged to abandon my wagon and sold one of my horses for nine pounds of flour. We finally reached the gold regions and stopped at a place called Johnson’s Crossing where we rested for three days. “”I got started searching for gold with a man by the name of Levi Knowlton, who came from Waterloo, Wisconsin. After we had picked around for some time we started into a (diggings) near a settlement called Georgetown, El Dorado County. We worked for a year and when we finished, we had $16,000 worth of gold. We were at a loss to know what to do with our wealth. There we were with no way to send it home and no banks to deposit it in that were safe. The only alternative was to take it home with us. Numerous rob-

Images provided by Otto Dick

LEFT: Jeremiah Davis laid out the city of Davis Junction in 1877. ABOVE: The iron gate says Jeremiah Davis Memorial Park. bers in the western states forced returning miners to surrender their gold and many killed. We decided a safer route was to board a boat through the Isthmus of Panama. One of us kept watch at night while the other slept. When we went for our meals we did so one at a time so the gold was never left until we returned it over to the mint in Philadelphia and received a receipt from Uncle Sam. We had $5,000 apiece. In spite of the hardships those were great days. I enjoyed them and have never regretted my first trip to California.” In this interview Jeremiah Davis said he was asked the length of the largest herd of buffaloes which he saw.

His reply was it was as long as the Rock River and it took weeks to travel through one herd. He said while prospecting for gold he fell while climbing a cliff. With no doctor in camp the miners laid me on a sand bed under an oak tree and dressed my wound as well as they could. He laid there three weeks and said a sand bed is the hardest resting place in the world. A map showing the great emigration route to the northwest was the Oregon Trail which began in Independence, Missouri. and ended at the Columbia River region in Oregon. In 1850 Jeremiah Davis and other would-be miners traveled this route to

Soda Springs in southeastern Idaho. At that point they took the California Trail to the gold mining areas of California. The California Gold Rush began in January 24, 1848 when gold was found by James W. Marshall at Sutter’s Mill in Coloma, California. The news of gold brought approximately 300,000 to California. (1848-1855) From Oregon, Dr. Mix organized a Gold Rush Expedition in 1849. Several of our early settlers joined in the search for gold. Jeremiah Davis laid out the city of Davis Junction in 1877. My next article will be about the history of Davis Junction.

SPORTS COLUMN

I

COMMENTARY Andy Colbert

fathom. What has happened in the intervening years? There are many demographic and societal factors and one such correlation is found in high-school sports athletics. What has become noticeable over the years is a decrease in participation in sports. Right now, it is especially pronounced in light of the havoc produced by Covid. But, long before, there has been a significant decline is kids wanting to come out for a sport. All you got to do is look at a yearbook from decades ago and see the large number of athletes at all levels freshmen, sophomore and varsity. In some cases, these programs have shrunk from

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three levels to only varsity. A very sad commentary and one that creates a competitive imbalance. There was a time that cuts had to be made in basketball because of so many kids out. Larger schools would have intramurals for those not on the traveling teams. Yes, there has been declining enrollments in rural parts of Illinois, but the drop in athletic participation far surpasses those numbers and to be sure, this problem goes beyond Illinois. It’s everywhere, as coaches struggle to get kids out and active in a sport. Thus, my theory is if young people no longer have the same desire to engage in physical activities, they are less likely to want to work at a job. I believe kids of my era were also more out-going and enjoyed being in the social setting of the work place, whereas there is more isolation today. Believe it or not, there used to be a stigma attached with having to apply for unemployment. Today, it is assumed to be one’s right and often a better alternative than working. What about the poor work habits? Coaches have told me this is a concern for them also.

STRONGER TOGETHER

was at Home Depot the other day and was unable to find what I wanted because of a material shortage. Additionally, when chatting with an employee there, she mentioned unfilled positions within the company. It’s not just Home Depot, but an acute labor shortage throughout this country is putting a strain on the economic well-being of this country. It is not good when the employer is being held hostage by a potential employee. That’s what is happening right now, as businesses are practically begging for people to at least fill out an application. Job fairs have zero turnouts. Finding willing bodies is just part of the problem. Once you get someone in the door, keeping them is another matter. It is rare that a new hire will stay for any extended period. Add in poor work habits and the recipe for disaster is complete. As I travel about, locally and out-of-state, I see and hear of this scenario over and over. As someone from a generation that competed with others for a coveted job, be it part-time or full, it is hard to

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OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, May 21, 2021

Is there a correlation between job market, athletics?

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Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, May 21, 2021

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FORRESTON GRADUATION

Fifty-two graduate from Forreston High School By EARLEEN HINTON

ehinton@shawmedia.com Forreston High School Principal Travis Heinz had one last request for the 52 students of the Class of 2021 during Sunday’s commencement. “One of the things that would make me the happiest would be for all of you at this time to take off your masks so I can see your faces,” said Heinz. He called the 2020-21 school year “a hard year” for everyone but said he “had never been more proud” of the Class of 2021. He gave written letters to each graduate that they could read later in life to reflect on their days at Forreston High School. He urged to students to pursue what they wanted. “It’s not what Mr. Heinz says... it’s what you want. That will bring you joy, happiness, and most of all peace,” he said. “I challenge you to make the years ahead better than the years behind you. You have a lifetime ahead that will bring you joy and sadness. The important thing is that you learn from all those experiences and take the next step.” The class motto was: “Masks can’t hide memories, so remember our story, not our faces.” Forrestville Valley Superintendent Sheri Smith thanked the students for their endurance in weathering a “worldwide pandemic”. “To the Class of 2021, this year was unlike any other. I want to applaud you for your patience, your perseverance, and your new perspective. And let me be the first to congratulate you on a job well done and wish you only the very best,” said Smith. “Now as I say each year, your time has come to leave our little Cardinal nest. May you fly high and enjoy your view.” Salutatorian James DeWall thanked, teachers, parents, administrators, and all other school staff members, including the custodial staff for “cleaning up all our messes.” “Thank you to Pop Tarts for when I wake up 15 minutes before school starts and don’t have time for breakfast,” DeWall quipped. “And, of course, thank you to all my fellow classmates.” He told the audience to live in the moment. “So I ask that you take this one small bit of advice: High school was fun, or it wasn’t, but either way, it was a moment in our life that we all experienced and now it’s gone.” Valedictorian Ethan Greenfield said the last four years have flown by quickly. “Here we are on our final day as Forreston High School students and even

Forreston graduate Kylee Curry was all smiles as she received her diploma on Sunday.

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

ABOVE: Forreston graduates Jacob Neuschwander, Paityn Broshous and Lukas Lingel link arms as they leave at the end of commencement. RIGHT: Ashlee Newell gets a hug as she receives her diploma. though this year was not the senior year we had always dreamed or hoped for we should not be bitter. We made the best with what we were given,” he said. “We have learned not to dwell in the past, but rather to focus on the future

and the present. “I have learned over the past year not to take things for granted – next year, next season, or even the next game is not guaranteed or may not be the same so take advantage of every

opportunity you get,” Greenfield said. “Don’t let the challenges and frustrations of this past year be the focus of your story. “Continue to write your story and make the next chapter even better.”

OREGON GRADUATION

By EARLEEN HINTON

ehinton@shawmedia.com Some tossed their caps into the air while others just smiled, but the common thread at Oregon High School’s 2021 commencement on May 15 was surviving and navigating through the COVID-19 pandemic. One senior reflection and the featured speaker both spoke on the challenges of completing an entire school year while under mitigations to stop the spread of the deadly disease. Sydney Hermes, one of four seniors who spoke for the 107 graduates, said her class showed “perseverance” throughout the year. “I am sure you are all tired of hearing about the pandemic, but it remains true it has been no easy feat to work around. Yet time and time again, the Class of 2021 has shown its talent for perseverance,” Hermes said. “We have suffered through glitchy Zoom meetings, ever-changing CDC guidelines, and not being able to have our strongest supporters present at some of the most memorable moments of our senior year. “Standing here today despite all of these obstacles and set-backs our class has shown the strength of our spirit and our ability to adapt and overcome.” Olyvia Rand, science teacher and senior advisor who was chosen by the Class of 2021 to give the main speech, echoed those sentiments. “I am truly grateful and honored to be standing here today. I was chosen to give the commencement speech by some truly exceptional people,” said Rand to the Class of 2021. “You all sitting in front of me have had one very, very rough year. If I had to name this year I think I would name it adversity. Adversity is a state of continued difficulty and to a tee that describes the past year. “All throughout the year you were confronted with an uncomfortable reality demanding you to be different and challenging you to do better. Day after day you were challenged to change and your challenges came to a new normal, varying the way you live, the way you communicate, the way you smile. Varying the very things you once found joy in.” Rand said adapting to all those changes was something to be proud of. “Through all the adversity, all the demands, all the changes, all the absolute drag down, knockout fights, you found something within yourself that most people will never find in their entire life,” Rand said. “You found resilience. You found strength in your-

Oregon High School science teacher Olyvia Rand was chosen by the Class of 2021 to be the honored speaker at commencement. Rand was also the advisor for the senior class.

Photos by Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

Grace White and Alexis Wilhelm hug after crossing the stage at the Blackhawk Center during Oregon High School’s Commencement on Saturday night. self, you found strength in each other, a strength in what you know and trust in every fiber of your being. You tapped into an inner strength capable of conquering any and all challenges. “You all rose triumphant. You are triumphant over the pandemic, the naysayers, the doubters. Forget pomp and circumstance-you all should have walked out to the ‘Rocky’ theme song with your arms held high and us cheering you on, because you did it,” she said. “You did it and I am so incredibly proud of each and everyone of you. “Class of 2021, I am honored to have known you and inspired to be like you,” she continued. “I wish you nothing but success, happiness and fulfillment in your life ahead.” Saturday’s event was held indoors after rain moved the event from the football field into the Blackhawk Center. In June 2020, the school held an evening commencement, complete with videotaped messages, live streaming, and a “drive-in feel.” Those seniors and their families waited in or near their parked cars in the parking Blackhawk Center lot as they prepared to walk across an outdoor stage and pick up their diploma.

The scoreboard basketball court paid tribute to the Class of 2021.

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

Lily Gillingham walks with her diploma during Oregon High School’s Commencement.

OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, May 21, 2021

Navigating pandemic the theme at OHS graduation

9

Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, May 21, 2021

OGLE COUNTY NEWS

10 SPECIAL EVENT

Free Summer Day Camp being held to inspire girls

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mt. Morris is offering a free summer day camp for girls going into grades fourth through sixth. The Strong Girls 2 Women (SG2W) summer camp focuses on self-esteem and new friendships, explores new ideas, and empowers girls to dream big. “Activities across the four days emphasize the wonderful uniqueness of each of our strong girls by engaging their physical, emotional, intellectual, and social wellness. There will be female guest speakers from a variety of leadership backgrounds, and songs, crafts, and play designed to create a dynamic learning experience,” said Sandra Stengel in a press release. The Strong Girls 2 Women camp will be held Monday through Thursday, June 28 through July 1, 9 to 11 a.m. “There is no cost to attend, but there is limited capacity, so please register early,” Stengel said. Registrations must be received by June 1. Register online on the SG2W page at www.trinitymmil.net. Registration forms were also given to girls in the eligible grades at the

Oregon Elementary School. “You will receive a welcome letter in the mail as confirmation or be notified if the camp is full,” Stengel said. This is the third year that Trinity has offered the popular Strong Girls 2 Women camp. Although it was not

held in 2020 due to the pandemic, an abbreviated version is planned this year with strict safety protocols to ensure the health and wellbeing of all participants. Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church is celebrating its 175th anniver-

sary in 2021. Their mission, “Believing in Christ, we are called to grow and sent to serve,” is lived through local and global service projects that run the gamut from creating health kits and quilts for world relief programs to providing free pajamas to area families at Christmas. Other ministries include Summer Lunch Program, which provides free summer lunches as well as gardening, literacy, and learning options, and Strong Girls 2 Women (#SG2W), a program for preteen girls that teaches self-respect and empowerment (#iamenough). Worship services are available on their website, YouTube channel and FaceBook page, or in-person on alternating Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings. The worship service schedule is at www.trinitymmil.net. Weekly podcasts from Pastor Josh Ehrler are on buzzsprout.com and iTunes. For more information about Trinity’s mission, ministries and programs call 815-734-6354, email trinitymmoffice@gmail.com, visit www.trinitymmil.net, or follow them on FaceBook, YouTube and Instagram.

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IN THE ARTS

The west side of Oregon’s City Hall will be getting a new look, thanks to the efforts of an Oregon High School art student. Madeline Arnold’s painting will soon grace a section of the building. The artwork was unveiled on May 14. Over the past six months City Commisioner Mel Cozzi and City Administrator Darin DeHaan worked with the Oregon CUSD 220 Art Department and art teacher Nathan Record to commission a student art piece to fill an open space in front of Oregon City Hall. The space was originally designed as a bulletin board on which community events and agendas were displayed. “That space has been vacant for many years. A case is being built in the space to house the painting to protect it,” said DeHaan. Through a selection process, Arnold was chosen based on her art concept. Volunteers Roger Cain, Kevin Wiegmann and Mark Gale will create a display case to house the painting. “This is a great collaboration

Photo supplied

Oregon High School art student Madeline Arnold and art teacher Nathan Record stand in front of Arnold’s work that will be displayed on the side of the Oregon City Hall. between the city and Oregon School District. The process allowed the student to navigate a process to bring a

ARRIVING FALL 2021!

conceptual piece of art to fruition and we are happy to provide the student with a space to display her artistry.

Oregon continues to embrace its art legacy with projects like this,” DeHaan said.

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OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, May 21, 2021

OHS art student’s painting selected for City Hall

11

Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, May 21, 2021

OGLE COUNTY NEWS

12 SPORTS ROUNDUP May 11 Baseball Amboy 5, Polo 2: The Clippers topped the Marcos in an NUIC game on the road. Ian Eller struck out 10 in 6 2/3 innings for Amboy, and Preston Henkel had a pair of hits. Forreston 6, Eastland 0: The Cardinals earned a shutout win, limiting Eastland to four hits. Softball Forreston 10, Eastland 2: The Cardinals used a seven-run fourth to top the Cougars. Rylee Broshous, Brooke Boettner and Nevaeh Houston all had two RBIs for the Cardinals. Kara Erdmann struck out seven. Emma Joens and Chloe Sweitzer each had two hits for Eastland, and Addison Burkholder and Mallory Misiewicz drove in runs. Polo 3, Amboy 2: The Marcos let a 2-0 slip away with a pair of Clippers runs in the top of the seventh before winning in a walk-off. Karlea Freny went 2 for 3 with a double for Polo. Sydnei Rahn added a single. Soccer Oregon 5, North Boone 1: The Hawks got a pair of goals from Nadia Thiesell, two from Alyssa Mowry, and one from Leah Watters in a win over the Vikings. Watters added three assists, and Mowry also assisted on a goal. Riley Crichton made four saves. Boys track and field May 13 Softball Oregon 6, Mendota 3: Oregon’s offensive output came from a pair of players in a Big Northern win over the Trojans. Reilee Suter went 2 for 2 and was hit by a pitch, scoring three runs and picking up two steals. Bella Koertner was 3 for 3 with three runs scored, two driven in and four stolen bases. In the circle, Mia Trampel struck out 13. Forreston 16, Eastland 0 (5 innings): Scoring in every inning but the fourth, including a seven-run first, the Cardinals won in Lanark. Neveah Houston drove in four runs, going 2 for 2. Kara Erdmann and Brooke Boettner both homered. Rylee Broshous was 3 for 4 with two RBIs. The Cougars had little offense beyond a triple by Bailey Thede and a double by Addison Burkholder. Soccer Oregon 3, Mendota 3: The Hawks and Trojans played to a draw in the Big Northern. Leah Watters scored twice and assisted on a goal from Eliza Easley. Wrestling Panthers earn split: Erie-Prophetstown beat Polo, 45-36, and lost to Riverdale, 46-27. See SPORTS ROUNDUP, page 13

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

ABOVE: Oregon’s Issac Reber wins the 100-meter dash during a recent meet. BOTTOM LEFT: Oregon’s Leah Watters plays controls a pass. BOTTOM RIGHT: Oregon shortstop Reilee Suter stretches to snare a drive line for an out during May 15 action against West Carroll.

• SPORTS ROUNDUP

Continued from Page 12

13

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

ABOVE: Oregon third baseman Jesse Suter just misses tagging West Carroll baserunner Erka Rice during May 15 action at Oregon Park West. BELOW: Oregon’s Sophie Stender (right) clears a hurdle in the 100-meter race as her teammate Ryiie Robertston follows.

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OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, May 21, 2021

Against the Marcos, Erie-Prophetstown got wins via pin at 126 pounds from Nick Smith, 132 from Carter Jepson, 138 from Jase Grunder, 152 from Isaac Goodson and 182 from Jacob Otten. E-P’s Logan Wheeler won by decision at 195. Polo got wins from Braydon Altherr at 160 and Joel Ludwig at 200 by pin. Erie-Prophetstown’s wins against the Rams came at 126 where Ryler Ballard scored a pin, 138 where Grunder won on decision and 195 where Wheeler scored a pin. Riverdale beat Polo 60-24 with the Marcos winning two contested bouts. Daniel Engel won the 285 match, pinning Shane O’Havor in 10 seconds. Wyatt Queckboerner pinned Iyezaha Hill in 52 seconds at 195. May 15 Wrestling Marcos earn split: Polo went 1-1 in a triangular, beating North Boone, 66-15, and losing to Rochelle, 58-24. Against the Hubs, Dimetri Garza got the win at 138 with a pin in 1:40, the lone contested match Polo won. Against the Vikings, Gage Lagee got a pin in 4:55 at 113 pounds. Bryce McKenna got a pin at 132 in 2:36. Wayde Reimer got a pin in 1:15 at 182. Joel Ludwig won the 285-pound match with a pin at 5:06. Baseball Dakota 15, Polo 7: The Marcos lost at

home, as the Indians pulled away with a five-run fifth inning. Polo scored two in the bottom of the first to tie the game 2-2, then four in the second to get within 9-6 after Dakota’s seven-run top of the inning. But the Marcos scored just one more run in the bottom of the seventh. Brady Clark had a double and two RBIs for Polo, while Gavin Zell had two hits and drove in a run. Tyler Merdian and Joey Bardell added RBIs for the Marcos. Softball Oregon 12, West Carroll 9: The Hawks put plenty of runs on the board early and held off a late West Carroll rally for a nonconference win. Oregon scored six in the bottom of the first and added a run in the second. After the Thunder rallied to get back within two, Oregon added a run in the fourth and four more in the fifth. Ava Hackman earned the win for Oregon, allowing three runs on three hits and striking out two in 3 1/3 innings. Ella Martin hit a two-run home run. Reilee Suter went 3 for 4. Jesse Suter went 2 for 3. West Carroll had a four-run fourth and a four-run seventh. Tori Moshure drove in two runs for the Thunder. Lacey Eissens added two RBIs of her own. Madison Haynes had an RBI double. Soccer Rochelle 3, Oregon 1: The Hawks dropped a nonconference game. Leah Watters scored for Oregon.

Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, May 21, 2021

OGLE COUNTY NEWS

14 PUBLIC VOICE Huge thanks to Polo FFA, fire department, family and friends

To the Editor: Shout Out to the Polo FFA ! They are doing a wonderful job with their Greenhouse Project. Plants are awesome! I stopped in May 12 to pickup their last two hanging baskets and was presented an envelope with a very generous check from a benefit they had in our honor. The drive-thru brisket dinner was late in February. What a turnout! THANK YOU to the FFA, FFA Alumni and all who participated!

What a wonderful community to live in! The FFA Benefit was because - Jan. 16, at 2 a.m., a cold snowy night – we woke up to strange sounds which actually was fire cracking. Began shutting down furnace, shutting off LP, called 911, tried putting out fire, got car out of garage, Polo Fire Department arrived as did family, shut off power, 7 more fire departments arrived with tankers and firemen, the battle in full action for the firemen while we watched, by 6 a.m. fire was out. For those who have plans what they will

BRIEFS

we are starting over. Friends, neighbors, family (who we didn’t wake up at 2 a.m.) began showing up that day to begin cleanup/salvage. To all – your help, visits, hugs, food, clothes, gifts, Bible, offers of places to stay, even coffee time is so much appreciated. “Life does go on” thanks to everyone’s support and caring! THANK YOU!!!!!!! Lyle and Sheryl Hopkins Polo

YOUR ENVIRONMENT

Alumni association delays banquet until September

The Polo Community High School 147th Annual Banquet of the Alumni Association has been postponed until Friday, Sept. 10. The banquet will be held at Crossroad Community Church in Polo. Please mark your calendars and watch for more information on tickets, etc. to follow. If you have questions, please contact Paula Faivre at 815-632-7707.

Oregon Rotary Club announces scholarship winners

gather and take with them in a situation like this, those plans fail miserably, your only thought is to make sure each other is safe. A huge Thank You to the Polo Fire Department for their quick response and hard work. They arrived from their warm cozy beds to the fire station, then our house (8 miles out of town) in 18 minutes! That’s dedication! While the second floor was lost, they did a wonderful job of saving our wood furniture and pictures on the wall on the first floor. Unfortunately, house had to come down and

Oregon Rotary Club Foundation, Inc. The Oregon Rotary Club Foundation, Inc. would like to thank the many applicants of the 2021 High School Scholarships. We are proud that our district has so many scholars of distinction and wish we could award to each and every one of them. We would like to thank them all for being such wonderful leaders in our community. The Oregon High School seniors whom the board agreed best upheld the ideals of the Oregon Rotary Foundation are: Helena Holden-Fox, Sydney Hermes, Ty Mowry, Owen Ketter, and Isabella Tranchina.

Samantha Bowers has been given the additional distinction of being named as the 2021 Catherine Ehnen scholar. A check for each scholarship winner will be delivered to their college of choice in the fall. The Oregon Rotary Club Foundation program began in 1984 with one $500 college scholarship being awarded. In 2014, the program expanded to include graduating High School seniors as well as college students. Over the course of these 37 years, the program has awarded over $330,000 to 187 students who displayed the ideals of Rotary International. Each year, the Oregon Rotary Club Foundation Board selects recipients whom the board feels meets the ideals of Rotary International. The annual decision process is a very difficult yet a rewarding experience because of the large number of outstanding applicants that apply each year. The Oregon community should be very proud of these individuals who are not only excellent students, but participate in activities geared toward helping others, as well.

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Electronic recycling event May 21 in Oregon The Ogle County Solid Waste Management Department will have its residential electronic recycling event on Friday, May 21 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the County Annex Building, 909 Pines Road, Oregon. A free permit is required in advance to attend this recycling event. Permits are limited and must be requested by Wednesday, May 19 by 4 p.m. To obtain a permit call the OCSWMD at 815-732-4020 or email the department at solidwaste@oglecounty.org and provide your name address, phone number and email address. Permits are limited to one per household per month, and allow up to seven large items to be brought in for recycling. A full list of accepted items and other event information is included with the permit. This event is for Ogle County resi-

dential electronics. Accepted items include all types of televisions and computer monitors, computers and all computer hardware and cables, laptops, tablets, cell phones, video game equipment, printers, FAX machines, copiers, scanners, VCRDVD players, cable and satellite boxes, all remote controls (please remove batteries), radios, stereo equipment, phones, digital clocks, calculators, holiday light strands, computer power back-ups, rechargeable batteries, and printer ink cartridges. Microwave ovens are accepted for a $5 fee per unit. A full list of accepted items and further instructions will be included with issuance of the permit. Call the OCSWMD at 815-732-4020, visit oglecounty.org, or go to Facebook at Ogle County Solid Waste Management for more information.

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VETERAN NEWS

The Veterans Assistance Commission of Ogle County (VACOC) Board Of Directors has announced an organizational change that they say will better serve the veterans of Ogle County. Effective June 1, Luz Maria Gilkey will be managing all operations of the VACOC to include the responsibilities of Superintendent, Veteran Service Officer, Administrator and Transportation Coordinator. Gilkey has more than 8 years of Veterans

Service Officer experience at the county level with proven results and knowledge of the VA system. She is a 20-year veteran retiree of the U.S. Army Reserves. If you are an honorably discharged veteran residing in Ogle County and not aware of the benefits from the Veterans Administration that you may be eligible for or if you feel your Veterans Administration benefits should be reviewed, or if you need transportation to you VA medical appointments, contact Gilkey to

discuss your particular situation. She will be in the VACOC office at the Oregon VFW Post 8739 building at 1310 W. Washington Street – Oregon with a work schedule of Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The VACOC invites all veterans to stop by and introduce yourself to Gilkey to see what benefits are available to you. The VACOC office is in the Oregon VFW Post 8739, North Door. For additional information: Office, 815255-9181: Transportation 815-677-6515.

Luz Maria Gilkey

FORRESTON LIBRARY Summer Reading Program We’re excited to announce that plans are underway for the return of in-person Summer Reading! Details are still being worked out, but we know programs will be held on Wednesday mornings beginning June 9. Flyers will be sent home through the school and more information will be posted on our website and Facebook page as plans are finalized. Read for a Lifetime Congratulations to Zach Pierson, Emalee

VandeWarker, and Montana Pierson for completing the 2020-2021 Read for a Lifetime program! This State Library initiative promotes reading for pleasure for high school students. Montana received special recognition for participating in the program all four years. More information on Read for a Lifetime and the 2021-2022 book list are now available at the library. New Titles New large print fiction titles include: “The Backstabbers” by William Johnstone, “A

Distant Shore” by Karen Kingsbury, Robert B. Parker’s “Payback” by Mike Lupica, and “Ocean Prey” by John Sandford. Library Hours The library is open the following hours: Monday 10 a.m.-1 p.m., 2-7 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 10 a.m.-1 p.m., 2-6 p.m. , and Saturday 9 a.m.-12 p.m. We are closed on Friday and Sunday. Masks are required for everyone over the age of 2 and children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by a responsible party.

Curbside pickup is still available for anyone who wishes to use it. Library Updates Please like our Facebook page to stay up to date with the most current information on our plans and activities and also check out our recently updated website at forrestonlibrary.org. If you have any questions or needs, please feel free to contact us by phone at (815)938-2624, email at forrestonpubliclibrary@gmail.com, or through Facebook messaging.

OREGON LIBRARY Library is Open The Oregon Public Library is currently offering curbside pick-up and appointments for browsing, computer use, printing, or faxing. Masks and hand sanitizing are required upon entering the Library. Please call 815-732-2724 to schedule pick-ups or appointments. Holds can be placed online through the catalog, http:// search.prairiecat.info/iii/encore/?lang=eng , over the phone with Library staff at 815-732-2724, or through our NEW mobile App - PrairieCat Mobile. Remember to check our Facebook posts or the local papers for new releases! You can also talk to the librarians for book recommendations and to place items on hold! Passport Services The Oregon Public Library offers passport application processing. It is recommended that patrons seeking passport services call the library prior to their visit to ensure that an official processor is available at that time and for a checklist of items you will need for the appointment. 2021 Summer reading program- Reading Colors Your World! June 1-July 23 Registration begins on Thursday, May 20. It’s almost here! The 2021 Summer Reading Program brochures will be available on May

20. Programs begin the week of June1. Free to residents, 3–17 years old of the Oregon Public Library District. Activities and programs will be available within COVID protocols. Call for more info. See you at your library! Your City @ Home is a series of virtual field trips meant to give you the chance to explore all that Chicagoland has to offer! This series is sponsored by multiply Illinois public libraries, including the Oregon Public Library. Eighth tour is Saturday, May 22, 1-2 p.m., Field Museum - Get an exclusive tour of the Dinosaur range with mammalian paleontologist William Simpson! Registration required through the Oregon Public Library Website. Ninth tour is Saturday, May 29, 2021, 2-3 p.m., Elmhurst History Museum - Just before the first man landed on the moon, Charlie Brown and Snoopy soared through space with NASA’s Apollo 10 Mission in May 1969. The exhibition To The Moon: Snoopy Soars with NASA examines the history of Apollo 10 and the Peanuts characters’ role in that flight and in the NASA Manned Flight Awareness safety program. This traveling exhibit is organized by the Charles M. Schultz Museum and Research Center in Santa Rosa, California.

‘Til Black Future Month? by N.K Jemisin. The Afternoon Book Club meets Wednesday, June 16 at 1 p.m. to discuss Life After Life by Kate Atkinson.

Registration required through the Oregon Public Library Website. Video Storytime New story times will be posted on Facebook every Thursday at 10 a.m. Crafts or activities relating to the story will also be posted. Let us hear from you in the comments! Storywalk StoryWalk® was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont in 2007, and developed in collaboration with the Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition and the Kellogg Hubbard Library. Thank you to the Etnyre Foundation and the Oregon Park District for helping the Oregon Public Library offer this unique reading experience at Oregon Park West. Current story being presented...Who’s On First? by Abbott & Costello. Library Book Clubs The 2WBC Book Club meets Wednesday, June 9 at 12:30 p.m. to discuss How Long

Oregon Writers Group – 2nd Tuesday each month at 10 a.m. The OWG is a gathering of writers or writer-wannabes who meet to support each other and to further their own writing. The purpose of the group is to help and encourage you in your writing. If you need brainstorming ideas, we can help suggest ideas or aid with the creative process. PC’s for People We are excited to announce our new partnership with Pcs for People! We will be a distribution site for this organization. PCs for People distributes low-cost refurbished computers and internet to income-eligible individuals through an easy-to-apply online application system. Every desktop includes a mouse, keyboard, power cords and monitor cords at no additional cost. Visit our website for more information or use these links below. You can also contact Pcs for People directly at 708-843-8450 or email at info@pcsforpeople.org. Check your eligibility here: https://www.pcsforpeople. org/eligibility/ Sign up here, https://tinyurl. com/oregonILtech.

OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, May 21, 2021

Gilkey available now to help with Veterans’ issues

15

Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, May 21, 2021

OGLE COUNTY NEWS

16 OBITUARY

LEONARD E. JONES

OREGON - Leonard Eugene Jones, 87, of Oregon, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 17, 2021 at KSB Hospital, Dixon. He was born Feb. 7, 1934 in Oregon, the son of Walter and Ruth (Carr) Jones. He was the eighth of 10 children born to Walter and Ruth. Len was a graduate of Harmony Hill and Oregon High School. After graduating, he went to work for NG Gilbert as a tree trimmer and then entered the US Army and served with the 82nd Airborne Paratroopers. After being discharged from the military,

he was hired by Commonwealth Edison as a lineman, where he worked for 38 years. During this position, he was always happy to share that “I change the light bulb on Route 2 in Castle Rock!” Len was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Shriners International, Oregon Masonic Lodge #420, where he served as Master for one year, and numerous other organizations. Len married his high school sweetheart Gretel Anne Heuerman in 1987 and they shared 33 years of marriage, hardly ever being seen apart from each other. They spent 10 years in Higginsville, Missouri ,where they were also very active in community services. They renewed their vows on Dec. 9, 2020 with Pastor Dave Rogula, the same pastor that married them

in 1987. Anne passed away on Jan. 17 of this year. Len enjoyed bowling, golfing and solving jigsaw puzzles of which some were glued together and saved as pictures. He even completed a grandfather’s clock puzzle that is over 4 feet tall. Leonard is survived by his nephew, Clifford (Rhonda) Jones and many other nephews and nieces; stepdaughter, Kim (Winston Hines) Kruse; sisters-in-law, Wyonne (James) Hegland of St. Charles, Christine (Bob) Johnson of Brooklyn, Wisconsin, Sharon Barger of Woodstock and Shelia (Tom) Humble of Deland, Florida; brother-in-law, Richard (Phyllis) Heuerman of Stillman Valley; and numerous great-nephews and nieces. He was also preceded in death by his

parents; nine siblings; and brother-in-law, Bill Barger. Joint services for Leonard and Gretel Anne will be held on Saturday, May 22 at 3:30 p.m. at Farrell-Holland-Gale Funeral Home, Oregon with Pastors Michael Hoffman and David Rogula co-officiating, with military honors for Len. Visitation for Len and Anne will be from 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, with a 3 p.m. Masonic service for Len. A private burial in Daysville Cemetery will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Leonard’s name may be made to Oregon Masonic Lodge, c/o P.O. Box 296, Oregon, IL 61061. Send online condolences at www. farrellhollandgale.com.

COUNTY NEWS

Ogle County tax bills were mailed on Tuesday, May 11 The Ogle County collector mailed property tax bills May 11. The first installment will be due on June 11, with the second installment due Sept. 10. The single document contains tax information and payment stubs for both installments. “Therefore, property owners need to save this bill as no additional notice will be mailed prior to the second installment,” County Clerk Linda Beck said.

Payment methods include cash or check (payable to Ogle County collector). In-person payments can be made at the Ogle County Treasurer’s Office or at any bank in Ogle County. The treasurer’s office is in the old courthouse, 105 S. Fifth St. in Oregon. Current restrictions will be wearing a mask in any county building and to keep a 6-foot distance from others. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30

p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. The mailing address is Ogle County Collector, P.O. Box 40, Oregon, IL 61061. Mailed payments must be postmarked by the due date to be considered timely. Late payments will incur a fee of 1.5% a month or part of a month after the due date and must be remitted by mail or at the collector’s office. Beck’s office is also offering the option of online credit card pay-

ments. “You may go to the Ogle County website at www.oglecounty.org and then select the treasurer’s department. Choose the Online Tax Payments link and click the Pay Now button. Fill in the information as prompted. “Be sure to receive a payment conformation for your records. Please note that this service carries a fee; review the convenience fees prior to making payment,” she said.

COUNTY NEWS

Ogle sheriff says ‘Click It or Ticket’ this Memorial Day Starting now through Memorial Day weekend, the Ogle County Sheriff’s Office is stepping up enforcement to remind motorists to “Click It or Ticket.” “We want the act of buckling up to become automatic to all drivers and passengers,” Ogle County Sheriff

Brian VanVickle said. “ ‘Click It or Ticket’ isn’t about citations – it’s about saving lives. Wearing a seat belt can reduce the risk of fatal injury by 45%. Seat belts save lives every day, but they’re only effective if they’re used.” Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer, a popular

time for traveling to visit family and friends. Whether you are traveling down the block or across the country, make sure you buckle up every time, VanVickle said. While Illinois currently has a 94.6% seat belt use compliance rate, unbelted occupants still account for more than

YOUR HEALTH

Drive-thru vaccine clinics and walk-ins

KSB Hospital now offers a drive-thru vaccination clinic from 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at its circular drive at 403 E. First St. in Dixon, for anyone 18 or older. Registration is preferred, but drive-ups are welcome. Go to https://bit.ly/3onLG5e or call 815-284-5715 to register.

In addition, KSB Oregon Clinic, 1307 W. Washington St., is offering walk-in COVID-19 vaccination appointments from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Thursdays, also for anyone 18 or older. Register at https://bit.ly/33RQWVs or 815-284-5715. Moderna vaccines are being offered at both locations this time.

half of those killed in motor vehicle crashes. The simple click of a seat belt could save thousands of lives each year. The “Click It or Ticket” campaign is administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation with federal highway safety funds.

COUNTY NEWS

By LAURA J. COOK

Ogle County Clerk and Recorder The Voter Registration purge has begun in Ogle County. Per the Illinois State Statutes, Election Officials are required to purge certain voters from the county’s voter registration rolls every two years. The purge keeps voter registration accurate because they it allows the removal of voters who are ineligible because they have changed their name, moved or passed away. If you have moved without notifying us, the Voter ID card will be sent back to our office by the Post Office as this type of mail cannot be forwarded. If there is a forwarding address on the returned card that is within our jurisdiction, we will send an R-26 to this new address. Please fill out and return the R-26 with the correct information and if your new address is in Ogle County, we will update your

information and send you a new Voter ID. If there is a forwarding address on the returned card that is out of our jurisdiction, we will also send an R-26 to your new address. Please fill out your new address and return the R-26 to us or register in your new jurisdiction and that jurisdiction will notify and we will cancel your voter registration in our system. If you do not reply to the R-26, do not update your address within our jurisdiction, and do not vote for two General Elections, you will be inactive in our system. After 30 days, voters whose cards have been returned to us will be inactivated. Inactive status requires the voter to re-register to vote. Voters need to be correctly registered so they are placed in the correct voting districts and voting precincts. The County Clerk’s Office mailed new voter registration cards to every registered voter in Ogle County the week of May 17. Once you receive your new voter registration

card, please review the printed information for accuracy. If you are registered and do not receive a card or if you notice a discrepancy, please call the office at 815-732-1110.

PROPERTY TRANSFERS The following property transfers were listed for Ogle County May 7-13. Warranty Deeds • Martha J. Hoyt to Alyssa Hansen, 1170 Westview Drive, Rochelle, $109,900. • Garrett L. Williams to Jonathan and Bethany Woeppel, 215 School Ave., Rochelle, $165,000. • Stephen P. Frano to Paula M. Nally and Iola C. Hudgins, 403 S. Fourth St., Oregon, $167,990. • Davidson of Creston LLC to Jonathan and Ocelia Marcela Nuyen, one parcel in Dement Township, $100,000. • Ronald W. and Carol J. Davidson to Jonathan and Ocelia Marcela Nuyen, one parcel in Dement Township, $549,900. • Trevor D. and Alison L. Owen to Anna Jensen, 709 N. Third St., Rochelle, $111,500. • BDO LLC to RAR of Rochelle LLC, 1060

Dement Road, Rochelle, $2,300,000. • Jon D. Schuler to Richard and Kathleen Kelly, one parcel in Grand Detour Township, $60,000. • Paul and Tracey Humphrey to Kristina R. Riedelsperger, 611 S. Second St., Oregon, $104,400. • Douglas Stivers to Robert W. Janecek, 1412 S. Lowell Park Road, Oregon, $14,500. • Zakary A. and Samantha Swanson to Trevor D. and Alison L. Owen, 1108 Burlington Way, Davis Junction, $245,000.

• DLMJ Investments LLC to Sydney R. Adkisson, 306 W. Front St., Mt. Morris, $110,000. • City of Rochelle to Commonwealth Edison, 1630 Ritchie Court, Rochelle, $139,383. • Kenneth Oltmans to Daniel Abbatoy Jr., 7961 S. Tampam Drive, Dixon, $6,000. • Lynn S. Brome to Kickapoo-Mud Creek Nature Conservancy, 2069 N. Limekiln Road, Oregon, $138,600. Quit Claim Deed • Ixchelle A. Rivera to Daniel Rivera Jr., 305 and 307 Otter Trail Lane, Dixon, $0. Trustee Deeds • Loyce L. Herrmann Land Trust, Loyce L. Herrmann, trustee to Kaitlyn A. Childers, 944 N. 14th St., Rochelle, $101,000. • Gwenlyn Sue Peters Trust, Gwenlyn Sue

Peters, trustee to Colen J. Turner, 618 N. 14th St., Rochelle, $100,000. • Rachel Joan Brady Garrett Trust, Rachel Joan Brady Garrett, trustee to Johnny and Tracy Hensley, 1008 Sunset Terrace, Rochelle, $150,000. • John M. and Gail P. Tuttle Family Trust, John M. and Gail P. Tuttle, trustees to Shady Oak Holdings LLC, 1007 N. River Drive, Byron, $145,000. • Brooke Family Trust, Jeffrey Roger and Ann MacLauren Brooke, trustees to Lee County and Lee-Ogle Transportation System, one parcel in Oregon-Nashua Township, $190,000. Executor Deed • The late Benny H. Rogers by executor to Patrick K. Olson, 625 N. 12th St., Rochelle, $82,000. Source: Ogle County Recorder’s Office

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OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, May 21, 2021

Clerk: Voter purge now underway in Ogle County

17

Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, May 21, 2021

OGLE COUNTY NEWS

18 COUNTY NEWS

Man charged with multiple offenses after traffic stop A Stillman Valley man was arrested on multiple traffic charges on May 13 in Byron. Paul O. Gramer, 31, Stillman Valley, was stopped by an Illinois State Trooper at approximately 12:23 a.m., for an equipment violation on Blackhawk Drive (Illinois 2) at Walnut Street. During the investigation, the officer learned

that Gramer’s driving privileges were revoked. Gramer was charged with aggravated driving while under the influence (X2), driving while under the influence (X2), driving while license revoked, possession of a controlled substance (PCS), resisting/obstructing a peace officer causing injuries, and aggravated

battery to a peace officer. Gramer was issued a written warning for failure to dim lights. Gramer’s bond was set at $40,000 (10% to apply) and was remanded to the Ogle County Jail. His preliminary hearing/arraignment wasset for May 19 at 10:30 a.m. in courtroom 204.

Paul O. Gramer

OGLE COUNTY SHERIFF Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle reports the following police activity. May 26 At 4:44 p.m. deputies responded to the 4000 block of Illinois Rte. 2 for a motorcycle crash. It was learned that Ronald Bandy, 48, of Freeport was traveling north on Illinois 2, failed to navigate a curve, lost control coming to rest on the west bank of the Rock River. Bandy was transported to Swedish American Hosp by Byron Fire for minor injuries. He was subsequently charged with driving while under the influence and cited for driving on the shoulder and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident. He was released at the hospital and will appear in court on July 2. Deputies were assisted on scene by Oregon and Byron Fire. The accident

remains under investigation. May 13 Ebtihal Albaiaty, 37, of Sterling was arrested for driving while license suspended and on a Whiteside County warrant after being stopped for speeding on I-39 near Monroe Center. Albaiaty was held in lieu of bond at the Ogle County Jail. ••• At approximately 4:12 p.m., deputies responded to a multi-vehicle accident in the 7100 block of South Illinois Route 2. Keshon Reed, 19, of Mt Morris, was driving a Ford van that was pulling an empty boat trailer. The boat trailer lost a tire, which caused the trailer to slide. The trailer then slid into the oncoming lane of traffic and collided with a Honda Civic, which was driven by Christine Aguayo, 67, of Dixon. A passenger in

the Honda, Rita Cannon, 70 of Dixon, Aguayo, and Reed all refused any medical treatment. May 11 At 11:21 p.m. hours, deputies responded to the area of Pines road and Ridge road for a report of a one-vehicle crash. After a short investigation, Brian A .Rosenbalm, 39, of Leaf River was arrested for aggravated driving while under the influence (3rd DUI), DUI and leaving the scene of an accident. Rosenbalm also received citations for improper lane use, driving on the shoulder, and squealing tires. Rosenbalm was transported to the Ogle County Jail and held in lieu of bond. Deputies were assisted on scene by Mt. Morris Police and Oregon Fire. May 12 At 12:21 p.m., deputies along with Rochelle

EMS responded to the intersection of Flagg Road and Skare Road for a two-vehicle accident with injuries. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that a 17-year-old driver and 15-year-old passenger were travelling east on Flagg Road approaching the intersection of Skare Road in a BMW sedan. Thomas Price, 61 of Rochelle, was travelling south on Skare Road in a Subaru SUV and was stopped at the stop sign at Flagg Road. Price attempted to continue south on Skare Road, but failed to yield to the juvenile driver traveling on Flagg Road. A collision occurred in the intersection. Both drivers were transported to Rochelle Community Hospital for suspected minor injuries. Price was at fault and received a citation for failure to obey a stop sign.

OREGON POLICE Oregon Police Chief Shawn Melville reports the following police activity. April 24 Sonia Flores-Mata, 51, of Vernon Hills, was issued a citation at 4:23 p.m. for operating an uninsured motor vehicle. This violation occurred in the 400 block of E. Washington Street. May 1 Lynda A. Sims, 58, of Rock Falls, was issued a citation at 6:30 p.m. for speeding, 44 mph in a 30 mph zone. This violation occurred in the 600 block of N. 4th Street. May 5 Madyson J.L. Black, 18, of Oregon, was issued a citation at 12:49 a.m. for disobeying a traffic control device. This violation occurred at the intersection of Franklin and 5th Streets. ••• At 9:34 p.m., Oregon Police issued Joshua

D. Bingaman, 36, of Des Moines, Iowa, was issued a citation at 9:34 p.m. for speeding, 53 mph in a 30 mph zone. This violation occurred in the 600 block of N. 4th Street. May 7 Chad T. Hammer, 51, of Mt. Morris, was arrested at 7 p.m. for driving without a valid driver’s license. Hammer was transported to the Ogle County Jail. This violation occurred in the intersection of Daysville Road and E. Washington Street. ••• Eric L. Grabowski, 48, of Aurora, was arrested at 10:07 p.m. for driving while under the influence of alcohol. Grabowski was also issued citations for no headlights when required and improper lane usage. Grabowski was transported to the Ogle County jail. These violations occurred in the 1000 block of W. Pines Road. ••• Albert E. Stephenson, 36, of Rock Falls, was arrested at 10:14 p.m. for driving

while license suspended. Stephenson was also issued a citation for operating an uninsured motor vehicle. Stephenson was transported to the Ogle County jail. These violations occurred in the 1300 block of S. IL Route 2. May 10 At 4:20 p.m., police responded to a disturbance call in the 500 block of Illinois Street resulting in the arrest of Richard L. Gallagher, 37, Oregon, for domestic battery. Gallagher was transported to the Ogle County Jail. May 13 At 2:34 p.m., police investigated a two-vehicle traffic crash in the 200 block of S. 10th Street involving a 2018 Ford driven by Nataliya K. Creegan, 31, of Oregon, and a 2018 International School Bus driven by Jeffrey A. Needham, 52, of Monroe Center. There were no passengers on the bus and no citations were issued.

May 15 Bryce A. Weems, 17, of Oregon, was issued a citation at 1:49 a.m. for no valid driver’s license. This violation occurred in the 300 block of W. Washington Street. ••• Four parking tickets and 11 verbal warnings issued May 3-16.

Please note: Any arrests listed are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. General Calls for Service through dispatch May 3-16 Checking a Subject / Vehicle...............10 Citizen Assist / Civil Problem ................8 Assist EMS ................................................4 Disturbance / Domestic..........................7 911 Hang-up / Open Line.........................2 Ordinance Violations............................. 19 Vehicle / Building Lockout ..................... 1 Open Door / Window .............................. 1

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FARM EQUIPMENT Steel Fence Posts $1-$3 each. 250 Bushel Gravity Wagon $800. JD Stock Chopper $1,000. Call 815-626-4991 Ogle County Classifieds

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DIXON Dixon Square Apts. 1540 Freedom Walk 815-284-3409 Wait List Open Subsidized Housing currently accepting applications for 1 & 2BR Apts.

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OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, May 21, 2021

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Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, May 21, 2021

OGLE COUNTY NEWS

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MISC

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LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES y

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LEGAL NOTICES IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE 15TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OGLE COUNTY 106 SOUTH 5TH STREET, OREGON, ILLINOIS ESTATE OF Donald Ray Hardcastle, DECEASED. 21 P 37 Notice is given to creditors of the death of the above named decedent. Letters of office were issued to Brenda Middleton, 201 Windmill Drive, Rochelle, Illinois, 61068, as Independent Administrator, whose attorney of

AUCTIONS

record is SJ Chapman, Bielski Chapman, Ltd, 123 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2300, Chicago. Illinois 60606. The estate will be administered without court supervision, unless under section 5/28-4 of the Probate Act Ill. Compiled Stat. 1992, Ch. 755, par. 5/28-4) any interested person terminates independent administration at any time by mailing or delivering a petition to terminate to the clerk. Claims against the estate may be filed with the clerk or with the representative, or both, on or before November 21, 2021, or, if mailing or delivery of a notice from the representative is required by section 5/18-3 of the Probate Act, the date stated in that notice. Any claim not filed on or before that date is barred. Copies of a claim filed with the clerk must be mailed or delivered by the claimant to the representative and to the attorney within 10 days after it has been filed. E-filing is now mandatory for documents in civil cases with limited exemptions. To efile, you must first create an account with an e-filing service provider. Visit http://efile.illinois

AUCTIONS

PASTURE & RECREATIONAL LAND AUCTION

tp://e courts.gov/serviceproviders.htm to learn more and to select a service provider. If you need additional help or have trouble e-filing, visit http://www.illinois courts.gov/FAQ/ gethelp.asp. SJ Chapman Bielski Chapman, Ltd (6312516) 123 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2300 Chicago. Illinois 60606 (312) 583-9430 I3168946 May 21, 28, 2021 June 4, 2021 NOTICE TO BID The Oregon Community Unit School District #220 will accept sealed bids for Milk Products for the 2021-2022 school year. Bid packets will be available beginning May 12, 2021 and may be picked up at Oregon C.U.S.D. #220, Black Hawk Center, 1101 Jefferson St., retrieved from the district website at www.ocusd.net on the Food Service page, or by calling the School District Office at (815) 7325300. Bids will be accepted until 10:00 a.m. on June 4, 2020 May 21, 2021

Advertise Your Rentals in Ogle County Classifieds

Wednesday, May 26th, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. Sale to be held via: Tele-Auction Call (call 815-946-4120 Tuesday, May 25th between 1pm-4pm to obtain a bidders number & call in information) 89.927 Acres TWO PARCELS: Parcel A 59.645 Parcel B 30.282 Sections 25 & 26 of Byron Township in Ogle, IL (located just west of the City of Byron, IL) For complete listing of sale bill, maps, tax info, and terms & conditions, etc. visit www.lennybrysonauctioneer.com FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: Lenny Bryson – Auctioneer 11749 West Judson Road Polo, IL 61064 Ph) 815-946-4120

Owner, Allen Barry Trust No 1 Tim Barry, Trustee Attorney, Emily Vivian of Ehrmann Gehlbach Badger & Considine, LLC. Ph) 815-288-4949

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